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SAYREVILLE, NJ — As Riverton moves closer to opening some of its first major businesses, the massive Sayreville development is also preparing for something it will need much more of in the years ahead: electricity.

The Sayreville Planning Board recently approved plans for a new electrical substation at Riverton, where Bass Pro Shops and QuickChek could both open within approximately 60 days, according to Project Executive Mark Feda.

The new substation would eventually provide significantly more electricity as additional portions of Riverton are built.

Riverton Will Eventually Need About 10 Times More Power

The early phases of Riverton are expected to use approximately 3 megawatts of electricity from the Main Street Extension area, Feda told the board.

But once the entire development is built, that number is expected to climb to just over 30 megawatts.

To prepare for that demand, JCP&L will build a new electrical substation on the Riverton property.

Developers are also preparing for the possibility that even more power could eventually be needed. While equipment for approximately 30 megawatts will initially be installed, the site is being prepared to eventually accommodate up to 60 megawatts.

“We’re going to put the underground foundations in for both load banks now,” Feda said.

That means infrastructure for a potential second 30-megawatt expansion will already be in place if it is needed in the future.

What Will The New Substation Look Like?

Plans include an approximately 58-foot-tall electrical structure described during the Planning Board hearing as a dead-end H-frame.

Much of the electrical infrastructure connecting the facility will be placed underground rather than using additional overhead lines.

“We wanted to keep it as Class A as possible,” Feda said.

An 8-foot security fence is also planned around the facility, while the concrete pad for the substation is planned at an elevation of approximately 31.5 feet as part of the site’s flood protection measures.

The Planning Board approved five design exceptions connected to the project, including the height of the security fence and the use of a gravel access road.

New Power Could Be About A Year Away

The new substation isn’t expected to be operational immediately.

Feda estimated that construction of the foundations will take approximately 3½ to four months. JCP&L would then need about eight additional months to install its equipment.

That could put the overall timeline at just under a year.

The substation will not have employees working there full-time. JCP&L personnel are expected to visit approximately once a month for inspections.

Bass Pro Shops And QuickChek Getting Closer

While the new power infrastructure will take longer, two highly anticipated Riverton businesses could be much closer to opening.

Feda said Bass Pro Shops is working on the inside of its building and could be ready within approximately two months.

“We’ll have an opening here within probably the next 60 days,” Feda said.

QuickChek is also expected to open in approximately 60 days, according to Feda.

Bass Pro Shops has previously announced that its Sayreville location will span approximately 200,000 square feet and become the company’s largest single-level store in the country. The retailer has said the store is expected to open this fall.

The opening estimates come as work continues across Riverton and plans move forward for the electrical infrastructure needed to support future phases of the development.

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